Chris Petersen and His Ability to Lead

In the last two weeks the Huskies have been playing as a cohesive unit. Not only did they work together really well, but also they made adjustments when they needed to in order to maintain their lead (in the Illinois game) and catch up after being shut out (in the Georgia State game). All of that is because of Chris Petersen.

I’m not trying to come down on Sark or anything because when he was with the Huskies he did some good things (until he snuck away like a one night stand), but I don’t know if I’ve seen the Huskies play like a team like they have the last two weeks in a really long time.

Not only is Petersen an amazing coach who can do amazing things (just look at what he did with Boise State), but he’s an amazing leader and example to these college kids and that’s exactly what they need right now. Petersen is trying to make these college players well rounded individuals. He doesn’t just want a successful football team; he wants a successful football team with individuals who are successful off the field as well. In order for that to happen, they need discipline, ethics, and a solid example of someone who has achieved that. That’s what the Huskies have in Chris Petersen.

For example, when Coach Petersen was asked about quarterback Cyler Miles and an incident that got him suspended for the season opener in Hawaii. He said,

“Certainly at that age group, we always say, hey, the age group we’re dealing with is the dumbest age group in America, and it happens to be so public. Guys make mistakes, and the important thing is we learn from it and become better people”

I was fortunate enough to meet him at PAC-12 Media Day in Los Angeles this summer and let me tell you, he is the nicest guy in the world. I just love him. I’ve always felt fortunate and proud to be a Huskies fan, but with Petersen at the helm those feelings are only amplified.

Every time a football team gets a new coach, they enter what we like to call a “rebuilding period”. It takes time for that trust and relationship to build between a new coaching staff and players. Because of that rebuilding period a team doesn’t usually win the National Championship the coach’s first go with the team, and that’s ok. As fans though, we can be pretty dang excited about what’s to come. Because let me tell you Husky Nation – the Huskies are good and they’re only going to get better. Teams should be afraid, the Huskies will be relevant again – mark my words.